ASNs and GS1-128 labels
Despatch advices and pallet labels that pass first time
The ASN, the pallet label and the delivery note are three views of one despatch. FTP EDI builds all three from the warehouse confirmation, so what the depot scans is what you told them was coming.
The problem
Most refused deliveries are ASN problems
The EDI is usually fine. What goes wrong is the gap between what was palletised and what the ASN says.
Typed twice
The warehouse builds pallets in one system and someone keys the ASN in another. Every retype is a chance to swap a case count or miss a batch.
Label and ASN disagree
The label was printed from a spreadsheet and the ASN from the WMS. The depot scans an SSCC that is not in the ASN and the pallet is received manually, or not at all.
Nobody knows it failed
The DESADV was rejected at 15:00 for a missing best-before. The vehicle arrives at 06:00 and is turned away. The rejection is still in the mailbox.
How it works
From despatch confirmation to acknowledged ASN in three steps
- 01
Warehouse confirms the despatch
Clarus or your WMS sends the picked pallets, cases per pallet, batch and best-before. Nothing is typed twice.
- 02
FTP EDI builds and checks the ASN
SSCCs are allocated from your GS1 prefix, the DESADV or 856 is generated from the retailer template and run through the depot rules.
- 03
Labels print, ASN sends, acknowledgement is chased
GS1-128 labels go to the warehouse printer in PDF or ZPL, the ASN leaves before the vehicle and the CONTRL or 997 is matched when it lands.
Try it
Build an ASN
Change the pallets and watch the SSCCs, the DESADV and the label update together.
Eighteen cases are stacked on a pallet in three layers, an SSCC 350601339000725170 is generated with its mod-10 check digit, and a GS1-128 pallet label is printed with the SSCC, GTIN 05021185100120, a count of 210 and a best-before date of 23 June 2026.
Despatch confirmed
Pallet 1 of 1 · 0 cases
- Pallet
- EUR 1200×800
- Height
- 0 mm
- Gross
- 0 kg
- Pack
- SSCC
- Label
- ASN
- Sent
SSCC · AI (00)
mod-10 check digit35060133900072517 0
From
Browns Group
To
Lidl RDC Bridgend
(00) 3 5060133 900072517 0
DESADV · EDIFACT D96A
building…CPS+1++1'PAC+1++201'GIN+BJ+350601339000725170'LIN+1++05021185100120:EN'QTY+12:210'DTM+361:20260623:102'
What you get
Everything the depot expects, from one record
One SSCC, everywhere
The same serial number is on the label, in the ASN and on the delivery note, so the depot scan matches first time.
Retailer label layouts
Tesco, Sainsbury's, Lidl v3.0, Amazon and generic GS1 logistic labels, approved specimens included.
Mixed and multi-drop pallets
Mixed pallets are flagged, multi-drop loads are split per delivery point and each drop gets its own ASN.
Best-before and batch on every line
Pulled from the warehouse record and enforced by the rule check, because Lidl and Tesco will refuse without them.
Delivery notes to match
Retailer-format delivery notes with the SSCC list and pallet count, printed alongside the labels.
EPOD and RECADV matching
When the receipt comes back it is matched to the ASN and shortages or refusals are flagged before the invoice goes.
Retailers
ASN and label rules by retailer
Each retailer has its own ASN timing, label layout and pallet rules. The template does the remembering.
EDIFACT D96A orders, ASNs and invoices, with the ASN mandatory for every palletised load and EPOD replacing paper TRNs.
RequirementsTradacoms orders, delivery notes and invoices, with EDIFACT DESADV available for ASN-enabled depots.
RequirementsEDIFACT D96A with strict PO number patterns, best-before on every DESADV line and an approved pallet label specimen.
RequirementsANSI X12 4010: 850 orders, 855 acknowledgements, 856 ASNs and 810 invoices with 997 functional acknowledgements both ways.
RequirementsEDIFACT D96A orders, ASNs and invoices with GS1 logistic labels and a standard UK delivery note.
RequirementsEDIFACT D96A orders, ASNs and invoices with GS1 pallet labels and per-depot pallet rules.
RequirementsQuestions
ASN and label questions
What is an ASN and why do retailers insist on it?
An Advanced Shipping Notification (DESADV in EDIFACT, 856 in X12) tells the depot exactly what is on the vehicle, pallet by pallet, before it arrives. Depots use it to book the load in by scanning the SSCC on each pallet label. Without it the load is received manually or refused. Read what is an ASN.
Do I need my own GS1 company prefix?
Yes. SSCCs must be built from a GS1 company prefix registered to your business. FTP EDI allocates serial numbers from your prefix and keeps them unique across every warehouse and retailer.
Can the labels print directly in the warehouse?
Yes. Labels are produced as PDF for any office or label printer, or as ZPL for Zebra and compatible thermal printers. Clarus users can print from the despatch screen.
What happens if the pallets change after the ASN is sent?
You correct the despatch in the portal or the WMS and FTP EDI issues a replacement ASN with the retailer's replace or cancel convention, then chases the new acknowledgement. The original stays in the audit trail.
Ready for ASNs that pass first time?
Tell us who you trade with and what you ship. We'll come back with a plan, a price and a go-live date within one working day.
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